Independent Arabia Mocks Mohammed bin Zayed with Scathing Cartoon… Signs of a Saudi–Emirati “Political Divorce”
A cartoon published by the Riyadh-aligned newspaper depicts the UAE president facing “arrows” labeled with sensitive files, including Yemen, Sudan, Somalia, Algeria, and the Epstein scandal.
NYN | Reports and Analyses
The Saudi-aligned newspaper Independent Arabia published a cartoon mocking UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, in a move observers viewed as an indication of escalating media tensions between Riyadh and Abu Dhabi in recent months.
A Cartoon Depicts Bin Zayed Facing “Arrows” of Controversial Files
The cartoon shows a figure wearing traditional Emirati attire—clearly referring to Mohammed bin Zayed—attempting to flee from several arrows directed at him. Each arrow bears the title of a controversial political or security file linked to allegations of Emirati involvement in a number of Arab countries.
Yemen, Sudan, Somalia, and Algeria on the List
According to the cartoon, the most prominent labels on the arrows include:
Yemen
El Fasher (Sudan)
Somalia
Algeria
This references what political and media actors describe as the UAE’s alleged involvement in fueling conflicts, spreading instability, and interfering in the internal affairs of those countries.
The “Epstein” Arrow Opens the Door to International Scandals
One of the arrows was labeled “Epstein,” referring to the scandal surrounding American businessman Jeffrey Epstein, which involved sensitive cases related to the exploitation of minors. Reports have stated that documents connected to the case included the names of officials and figures from several countries, including Gulf states.
A Saudi Shift from Criticizing Policies to Targeting the Head of State
Observers believe that publishing such cartoons reflects a shift in Saudi discourse—from merely criticizing Emirati policies to directly targeting the head of the UAE leadership in the media—amid growing talk of a fragmentation in the Saudi–Emirati alliance, particularly regarding the Yemen file and developments in the country’s south.
Independent Arabia… A Saudi Media Arm Since 2019
It is worth noting that Independent Arabia is an extension of the well-known British newspaper The Independent. However, it came under Saudi ownership after being acquired in 2019 by the Saudi Research and Media Group, as part of a network of media platforms funded to influence public opinion regionally and internationally.
